Trying TOO HARD to Change the World, One Unread Blog Post at a Time

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“Fuck it I want a trillion,” says Jay-z. I feel you, and I hope you get it. “Good luck with that, bruh.” Seriously, I hope he and we all get what we want. More than that I hope we go for

what it is that we really want. Me!? I just want peace of mind. Young people who were always told what to do and how to do it, while seeking the approval of those telling them, turn into old people who need to be told what to do and how to do it while seeking the approval of others. Nah…I’m good off that. But I was that young person.

Kinda borrowing the swag of Cee-lo/Gnarls Barkley, most of my heroes had the heart to live out on a limb, doing what it is they thought was right. (Not trying to discuss right or wrong; or, good vs. evil.) And hopefully you do whatever it is that you do for more than fleeting things like money, but for something deeper. Although, bills, mortgages, living costs, etc. are real concerns. It’s well-known that you need to be a valuable and contributing member of society, somehow or just valuable. Meaning you earn a living.

It’s never too late so, go chase your dreams and fail–or succeed. Just go find out. It’ll teach you more in the process than any teacher or professor from any institution could ever try to, even if you dream of being a teacher or professor. A professor can’t teach you to do something they cant or haven’t done, so Dream Big. Little black kids need to dream big, knowing the world is their oyster too, and that they can be Neil Degrasse Tyson, Anton Thomas, PhD, or Jay-z. There’s more to life than shoes and entertainment. You can transform footwear and be a billionaire or trillionaire and give it all away. It’s clear that we’ve been miseducated about how to approach and go through life.

Jaden Smith was clearly high as fuck, when he said the world would be better if there weren’t schools, because our Education teaches us to be dumb or stifles thought, or something like that. Then went on to say, babies would be the smartest beings if they could convey it by speaking. He has a good point, in that our Education system needs to get better and change the concept for what it is to teach. But, babies are pretty much blank slates, unless you theorize that they are born into the world with all the answers, or have a cognitive function that is higher until they are forced to learn. Shit maybe. haha. It’s interesting and problematic that I even know Jaden said this.

Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook are setting peoples’ expectations and defining success, cool, and whatever else by way of instapics, 140 characters, reblogs, and status updates. It’s kinda sick. We’re all little homogeneous beings lacking the drive and spirit to do more. All programmed the same. Maybe we can’t get mad that the large corporations run everything and Banks are getting too bigger* to fail. We are all buying into the same mode of thinking and way of living. There are people fixated with being a part of the conglomerate and having what they see via various media outlets, including relationships.

Girls want to get married, find love, have a family and have the perfect man that can help create it all for them. Men just do all that is required to get the affection of women, until one gets him. And, hopefully he acts right. Remember he’s been pushing for success to gain the attention of a woman his entire life. People love what Jay-z and Beyonce have, Angelina Jolie and Brad, Will and Jada, Barack and Michelle, Tom Cruz and wait…um… Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Brady and Giselle, etc. I can guarantee they have defined happiness for themselves or they really aren’t happy; and that their relationships aren’t what you would want for yourself. Unless of course you want a relationship where money and fame is the call of the day, and getting strange sex from another with as much to lose as you, because that is the best plan of attack for getting some ass since your wife or man is off in another country or place for…days, weeks, months at a time. But, you don’t want to have it all come crashing down because of a TMZ report. Basically, you have to find what it is that makes you happy. It’s something that can’t be taught to you. You’re most likely to find out what that is when you have peace of mind.

Therefore, social media, your parents, friends, and social media, should not define your happiness. Moreover,those celebrity relationships should be the LAST to teach or set expectations for a relationship (if that’s what you want to make you happy). You have to blaze your own trail to leave a mark.

Well, I postulate that once you reach your Billionaire status, or you’ve done everything that it is that your parents, friends, and society thinks is great, you will finally be able to have peace of mind and do the things that you really want to do. You will finally be able to see what it is to enjoy the little things. So until then, another day, another dollar, another social media view to inspire, depress, or empower you to reach the point where you gain higher ground in this rat race. “I Gotta Find Peace of Mind”

It’s well established that gentrification has been taking place in many major cities across the USA. I can only speak to that which occurred in DC with any accuracy, as a native Washingtonian and current DC resident. In DC, it may be that the transition is complete, and once inner city-urban areas will now be just known as city living.

The positive aspects of the result of gentrification are the renovation of city and quality of businesses that have emerged in once ghetto ass areas, or the hood, or the ghet. It’s brought an economic boom to DC. It’s actually pretty cool to see. Sadly, African Americans could not create the same outcome.

The displaced or former residents of certain neighborhoods need to be over having to accept the change, and deal with the new norm. There’s no need to be mad or bitter. But, I believe there is something that can be learned for this experience.

Regarding the positives, and dismissing any of the discussed negatives, let’s learn from those around you, those who you weren’t accustom to before. Try to understand how it is that white people can create and attract business, outside of having an above decent living wage from family money or jobs. (So long as tax increases do not force the remaining historic residents to sell.) Try to understand their mindset, culture, and goals.

Having diversity in a more natural setting and over a longer period can be more beneficial than the crafted environment that many hope college can create. But living shoulder to shoulder in neighborhoods, is like living out Martin’s dream, even if it’s because of the economic benefits.

Regarding the economic benefits of gentrification, we should all realize that the nation’s economic situation is fucked and required people to find a way to keep costs from debilitating them for a lifetime. At any rate, White flighters’ children and–simply–transplants of various origin have returned or come to take advantage of a more convenient and modern lifestyle.
The lifestyle is great for many reasons, not just economically, but that’s very crucial.

Now that inner-city areas of cities are diversity hubs, lets take the time to appreciate any positives that can come. Learn from it all, and digest it, and move forward.